Researchers identify new form of depression

As reported in the journal Neuroscience, the study shed light on how a protein called RGS8 may be involved in depressive behavior.

Until now, scientists have thought the monoamine hypothesis explains how depression arises. This hypothesis is based on the fact that depressed individuals lack the monoamine neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine.

Ninety percent of antidepressant drugs are based on this idea and are designed to recalibrate the two amines. However, authors of the current study Yumiko Saito and Yuki Kobayashi say that these drugs are not effective in 30% of patients.